Every morning, millions of people crack an egg and begin their day. Whether poached, scrambled, or sunny side up, eggs have remained a breakfast staple around the globe. Yet, for decades, they’ve also been the subject of dietary controversy. 



Health professionals once warned us to limit our egg intake due to cholesterol concerns. They feared that too many eggs might clog arteries and increase the risk of heart disease. But as science continues to evolve, so do our ideas about food.



A new study from the <a href="https://www.unisa.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of South Australia</a> now challenges these long-standing beliefs. The research offers clear evidence that eggs may not deserve their bad reputation. Instead, they could be an unexpected ally in maintaining heart <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/just-one-handful-of-pecan-nuts-each-day-can-lower-cholesterol-heart-health/">health</a> if eaten the right way.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eggs-were-blamed-for-heart-problems">Eggs were blamed for heart problems</h2>



The study’s findings arrive at a crucial time. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death across the globe. Nearly 18 million people die from CVD each year. 



In Australia, one person dies every 12 minutes due to CVD. That is one in four lives lost to heart-related issues. With such staggering statistics, it is essential to understand what truly contributes to heart disease.



For years, experts assumed cholesterol-rich foods like eggs played a direct role in raising LDL cholesterol, often called “bad cholesterol.” 



This assumption led to dietary guidelines that limited egg consumption. But Professor Jon Buckley and his research team wanted to look closer. They suspected that the real story was more complex.



“Eggs have long been unfairly cracked by outdated dietary advice,” Professor Buckley says.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eggs-don-t-raise-bad-cholesterol">Eggs don't raise bad cholesterol</h2>



In what’s being called a world-first study, UniSA researchers set out to separate myth from fact. They explored how dietary cholesterol and saturated fat independently affect LDL cholesterol levels. 



The team designed a controlled diet study where participants consumed two eggs daily. The key twist? The overall <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-power-of-fish-oil-in-combating-high-cholesterol/">diet</a> was high in cholesterol but low in saturated fat.



The results were surprising. Eating two eggs a day, within a low saturated fat diet, actually reduced LDL cholesterol levels. That means the cholesterol in eggs did not raise the risk of heart disease. 



In fact, when saturated fat intake stayed low, dietary cholesterol from eggs had little to no negative effect.



“In this study, we separated the effects of cholesterol and saturated fat, finding that high dietary cholesterol from eggs, when eaten as part of a low saturated fat diet, does not raise bad cholesterol levels,” Buckley explains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-culprit-emerges">A new culprit emerges</h2>



So, if not eggs, what’s really behind elevated cholesterol <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/good-cholesterol-may-increase-the-risk-of-dementia/">levels</a>? The answer lies in saturated fat. This kind of fat is found in processed meats, fatty cuts of red meat, full-fat dairy products, and many baked goods. 



When people eat these foods regularly, LDL cholesterol levels can rise, increasing the risk of heart disease.



Buckley and his team highlight that eggs, although rich in cholesterol, contain very little saturated fat. This balance makes them quite different from other animal-based foods. It also means that we need to reevaluate which foods are the true culprits in heart disease risk.



“Instead, it was the saturated fat that was the real driver of cholesterol elevation,” Buckley says.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eggs-are-fine-but-fatty-sides-are-not">Eggs are fine, but fatty sides are not</h2>



This study changes how we might think about the classic cooked breakfast. It is not the eggs on your plate that should raise <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-salmon-can-help-lower-your-cholesterol/">concern</a>. It is what you pair them with. Greasy bacon, processed sausages, and buttered toast may be the real threat to your heart, not the eggs themselves.



“You could say we’ve delivered hard-boiled evidence in defence of the humble egg,” noted Buckley.



So, the next time you are standing in front of a sizzling pan, think carefully. Eggs can remain on the menu. But you might want to skip that second sausage link or the extra slice of fried bread. The study reminds us that balance is more important than banishment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eggs-in-a-cholesterol-friendly-diet">Eggs in a cholesterol-friendly diet</h2>



Eggs are not only versatile but also packed with essential nutrients. They contain high-quality protein, vitamins like B12 and D, and healthy fats. 



For people trying to maintain a balanced diet, eggs can offer both nourishment and convenience. The new research finally gives them a fair chance to shine without guilt.



“So, when it comes to a cooked breakfast, it’s not the eggs you need to worry about - it’s the extra serve of bacon or the side of sausage that’s more likely to impact your heart health," said Buckley. 



It is time to let go of outdated advice. Science has turned the tables on cholesterol myths, allowing eggs to reclaim their place on the breakfast table. When part of a low saturated fat diet, eggs do not just taste good, they might actually support your heart.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002916525002539?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Journal of Clinical Nutrition</a>. 



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Eggs and cholesterol: A new twist in an old debate

Every morning, millions of people crack an egg and begin their day. Whether poached, scrambled, or sunny side up, eggs have remained a breakfast staple around the globe. Yet, for decades, they’ve also been the subject of dietary controversy. Health professionals once warned us to limit our egg intake due to cholesterol concerns. They feared that too many eggs might clog arteries and increase the risk of heart disease. But as science continues to evolve, so do our ideas about food. A new study from the University...

Approximately 90-97 percent of people eat meat. Despite the outcry from activists such as Greta Thunberg, global meat consumption is on the rise. Paradoxically, most people claim to be concerned with animal welfare. Many people even relate to animals, with one study showing that some individuals are more empathetic <a href="https://brill.com/view/journals/soan/25/1/article-p1_1.xml?_sp=365214a7-fd1d-4817-b93b-7cbb4433ec95.1509706369283&amp;language=zh">toward dogs</a> than other adult humans.&nbsp;



A new literature review from the <a href="https://publons.com/publisher/11574/polish-association-of-social-psychology">Polish Association of Social Psychology</a> examines the “meat paradox,” looking closely at this strange state of affairs. The scientists identified two distinct psychological processes at play in people who eat meat yet claim to care for animals. 



First are triggers - things that make a meat eater uncomfortable about their consumption, such as pictures from a slaughterhouse. Second, restorative strategies can make a person feel better about eating meat when they feel "triggered."



Common strategies are considering food animals as incapable of thought or complex feeling, thus justifying eating them. Another example is the “4 N’s” - when people think of eating meat as “natural," “nice," “normal” and “necessary." Different language is also used to disguise the reality of eating animals, using sanitized words such as livestock, poultry, or beef.&nbsp;



Strategies are not the same across cultures. Americans are more likely to dissociate themselves with the reality of animals than Ecuadorians, who live in a region where animals are more likely to be served with their heads attached. The study also showed that French people were more likely to deny that animals have minds than Chinese people.&nbsp;



There were also differences in meat consumption depending on how people viewed masculinity. People who highly valued traditional masculinity were more likely to eat meat than those who did not highly value traditional masculinity, including men. Overall, 63 percent of vegans are female, with only the remaining 37 percent being male. Females, the research showed, are more likely to connect with animals than males.&nbsp;



There is also a political divide at play in diet. Those with conservative views were more likely to view vegetarian and vegan diet in a negative light. Those leaning more left in their views are more likely to think kindly of plant based diets.&nbsp;



The researchers hope this review will shine a light on the psychology of meat eating and possibly even bear fruit in more vegetarians.&nbsp;



The review was published in <a href="https://doi.org/10.32872/spb.5953">Social Psychology Bulletin</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



---By <a href="mailto:zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

The meat paradox: People care about animals, but still eat meat

Approximately 90-97 percent of people eat meat. Despite the outcry...

A lack of sleep can affect not only <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/peanuts-improve-cognitive-function-in-young-adults/">cognitive</a> functioning, as many previous studies have shown, but also physical activities such as walking, according to a new study led by the <a href="https://www.mit.edu/">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</a> (MIT) and the <a href="https://www5.usp.br/">University of São Paulo</a>.



The scientists performed a series of experiments with student volunteers from the University of São Paulo in order to investigate the effects of sleep deprivation on gait control. The students were given watches to track their activities over a 14-day period. On average, each student slept about six hours per day, although some of them compensated by catching up on sleep over the weekends.



In the night before the experiment, one group of students stayed awake all night (the Sleep Acute Deprivation (SAD) group). In the next morning all students were asked to walk on a treadmill, while researchers played a metronome. The participants were asked to keep step with the metronome’s beat, as the scientists slowly and subtly modified the metronome’s speed, without informing the students that they were doing so.



“They had to synchronize their heel strike to the beat, and we found the errors were larger in people with acute sleep deprivation,” said study lead author Arturo Forner-Cordero, an associate professor of Mechatronics Engineering at the University of São Paulo. “They were off the rhythm, they missed beeps, and were performing in general, worse.”



While these findings were expected, what surprised the scientists was that those who fared better in the experiment were the students who compensated and got slightly more sleep over the weekends.



“That’s paradoxical,” Forner-Cordero said. “Even at the peak of when most people would be tired, this compensating group did better, which we didn’t expect.”&nbsp;



“Scientifically, it wasn’t clear that almost automatic activities like walking would be influenced by lack of sleep,” added study co-author Hermano Krebs, a research scientist at MIT. “We also found that compensating for sleep could be an important strategy. For instance, for those who are chronically sleep-deprived, like shift workers, clinicians, and some military personnel, if they build in regular sleep compensation, they might have better control over their gait.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-00705-9">Scientific Reports</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Lack of sleep changes how you walk

A lack of sleep can affect not only cognitive functioning,...

New research from the <a href="https://www.isglobal.org/en">Barcelona Institute for Global Health</a> provides solid evidence that COVID-19 is a seasonal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-bats-resist-covid-19-infection/">infection</a>, linked to lower temperatures and drier air. This means COVID is similar to influenza.&nbsp;



The coordinator of the study, Xavier Rodó, is the director of the <a href="https://www.isglobal.org/en/-/clima-y-salud">Climate and Health programme</a> at ISGlobal.



“The question of whether COVID-19 is a genuine seasonal disease becomes increasingly central, with implications for determining effective intervention measures,” said Rodó.



To answer this question, the researchers looked at how COVID-19 spread in association to temperature and humidity in 162 countries in five continents. The study found that higher transmission rates coincided with lower temperatures and lower humidity.&nbsp;



On both global and local scales, the research showed an overall trend of COVID-19 transmissions increasing as temperatures fell. However, this pattern was broken during the summer time on all continents studied.&nbsp;



“This could be explained by several factors, including mass gatherings of young people, tourism, and air conditioning, among others,” explained study first author Alejandro Fontal.



Overall, this study provides important information for COVID-19 policies. This also allows scientists and healthcare workers to prepare for increases in COVID-19 transmissions connected to changes in the weather.&nbsp;



“Altogether, our findings support the view of COVID-19 as a true seasonal low-temperature infection, similar to influenza and to the more benign circulating coronaviruses,” said Rodó.



Importantly, the study also gives an insight into how the disease is transmitted through the air. Diseases like influenza and now COVID-19 are known to stay airborne longer as aerosol sizes decrease due to drier air. This means a focus on better ‘air hygiene.’&nbsp;



“This link warrants an emphasis on ‘air hygiene’ through improved indoor ventilation as aerosols are capable to persist suspended for longer times,” said Rodó.



The research is particularly relevant now, as the COVID-19 pandemic persists in the United States and many people are resisting the call to vaccinate and wear masks.&nbsp;



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/natcomputsci/">Nature Computational Science</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

New evidence that COVID-19 is a seasonal infection

New research from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health provides...

Sodium chloride, or common table salt, is an essential compound that has many functions in our bodies. But a high salt intake is correlated with hypertension (high blood pressure) and the associated risks of cardiovascular and kidney disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a maximum salt intake of 2,000 mg/day for an adult, but the average global salt intake in 2010 was around twice that.&nbsp;



In response, the WHO set a target of a 30 percent reduction in global salt intake by 2025. A recent study by a team of international scientists set out to determine what progress has been made towards achieving this goal in five countries. The salt contents of different types of processed meat and fish in three developed countries (UK, USA, China) and two developing countries (Australia, South Africa) were measured.



The five nations included in this study all have their own strategies to reduce dietary salt intake and are part of The International Network for Food and Obesity/noncommunicable diseases Research, Monitoring and Action Support (INFORMAS), which aims to collate and track the nutritional content of processed foods worldwide.&nbsp;



A total of 26,500 processed meat and fish products (19,601 meat and 6,899 fish) were included in the study. They were sourced from supermarkets in the five countries, and their food nutrition labels were scanned to assess the salt (sodium) content (mg/100 g). The total number of items included ranged from 885 for the UK to 17,098 for the USA.



Processed meat products were classified as: meat alternatives; bacon; canned meat; frozen meat; meat burgers; salami and cured meats; sausages and hot dogs; sliced meat; dried meat; pate and meat spreads; kebabs; ‘other’ meat products; raw flavored meats; whole hams and similar products; roast chicken; and raw unflavored meats.&nbsp;



Processed fish products were categorized as: canned; chilled; frozen; and ‘other’.



Overall, Chinese products had the highest salt level (median of 1050 mg/100 g), making it the country with the saltiest products for both meat (1066 mg/100 g) and fish (942 mg/100 g). China was followed by the USA, South Africa, Australia and the UK (median of 432 mg/100 g).&nbsp;&nbsp;There were similar variations, in other words a two- to threefold difference in sodium content, between the highest and lowest countries, even when processed meat and fish products were considered separately.&nbsp;



There was a lot of variation in salt content within product categories and between countries. For example, the salt content of roast chicken in China was 4.5 times that of the same product in the UK (893 mg/100 g vs 197 mg/100 g); chilled fish in China was 4.5 times saltier than that in the USA (1744 mg/100 g vs 389 mg/100 g).



And the salt content of pâté and meat spreads in China was around 4 times that of Australia (1916 mg/100 g vs 480 mg/100 g). Yet the salt content of bacon, frozen meat, salami and cured meats, dried meat and frozen fish in China was the lowest of all the five countries.&nbsp;



The researchers used the ‘traffic light’ system adopted by the UK, where salt (sodium) level was defined as low (green)&nbsp;if it was under 120 mg/100 g; medium if between 120 and 599 mg/100 g; and high (red) if above 600 mg/100 g.&nbsp;



According to this classification system, a large proportion of the processed meat and fish products fell into the red and amber light categories. The highest proportion of green light products were found in the UK, where they made up 12.5 percent of all the products considered. Only ten percent of USA products fell into the green light category, whereas no more than five percent were green light products in China and South Africa.



These findings imply that if a person ate 100 grams of processed meat or fish products each day, this would supply around 47 percent of the WHO recommended daily maximum intake in China and the USA, 37 percent in South Africa, nearly 35 percent in Australia and 27 percent in the UK.&nbsp;



“It is not easy to simply replace or reformulate the high sodium products that have already existed for years. However, the large difference in sodium content of similar products in different countries, and the difference in sodium content among different brands within the same country, indicate that there is still a lot of room for salt reduction,” wrote the researchers.



The study has some limitations that are acknowledged by the experts. Scanning the labels for the salt content of a product does not quantify actual sodium consumption by individuals. In addition, the data were collected over several years (2012–2018), during which time the products may have been reformulated to contain less salt.&nbsp;



“The sodium content of meat and fish products in all the selected countries was very high, with a 100 g serving size of meat or fish products contributing to between one-third and one-half of WHO recommended maximum daily sodium intake," wrote the study authors.



The research is published in the <a href="https://www.bmj.com/">British Medical Journal</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:bosman@truewan.co.za">Alison Bosman</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

U.S. foods have the second highest salt content in the world

Sodium chloride, or common table salt, is an essential compound...

According to a new study led by the <a href="https://medicine.wustl.edu/">Washington University School of Medicine</a> in St. Louis, like many other things in life, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/poor-sleep-quality-is-associated-with-mental-illness/">sleep</a> is best in moderation. Through a longitudinal study of older adults, scientists have discovered that both short and long sleepers experience greater cognitive decline than people who sleep moderately.



Both poor sleep and Alzheimer’s disease are associated with cognitive decline. Thus, separating the effects of each has proven challenging. By tracking the cognitive functioning of a group of 100 older adults over 4.5 years and analyzing it against levels of proteins related to Alzheimer’s disease and measures of brain activity during sleep, the scientists have shed new light on the complex relationship among sleep, Alzheimer’s disease, and cognitive functioning.



“It’s been challenging to determine how sleep and different stages of Alzheimer’s disease are related, but that’s what you need to know to start designing interventions,” said study lead author&nbsp;Brendan Lucey, an associate professor of Neurology and director of the Washington University&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUUOrhW-2FAaQ3u4vk6vdUg1mvTrnTAtBrEOmwAeYJBqRi6y3qh_qUUMznMkXGT9vocK663RhihR1E3P7Zhw8trthuwelyTfR-2BnsLMSwOQIMF0GjbacMCc3OzgSGJNEF-2B2N6cD3eKEvG2HlsfjpnB1jpUBbe5O9IlB7tEy56cOGuT7q19fXHNsbMCsrKAnW7J6nRb05tLvZC1X2ytS4TQ3xmyJue3XmP0s4HzBllG-2FqaWXesoRM6RrO1MD3zQxgVImnnArPYAwIzZvy9uY2ikay6upHyAtl5B7R-2F7RPsI6xaZ4oIovH3NO5pgoKIeQYgduhqHTfI-2FecROPms0BXQs-2BQZm7mxUsE2p3cp2UYbmouhwpeG-2FRONxuQMbWrfWGStUkrHtzXj4ULF1cgUR52VM9Fcl-2BOBagQ-3D">Sleep Medicine Center</a>.&nbsp;



The researchers found that cognitive scores declined for the persons who slept either less than 4.5 hours or more than 6.5 hours per night, while scores remained stable for those in the middle of the range. While previous studies argued that short amounts of sleep lead to mental health issues, these new findings show that too much sleep can also be harmful. This suggests that sleep quality could be more important than quantity. Moreover, sleep problems appears to accelerate the brain damage caused by Alzheimer’s.



“Our study suggests that there is a middle range, or ‘sweet spot,’ for total sleep time where cognitive performance was stable over time. Short and long sleep times were associated with worse cognitive performance, perhaps due to insufficient sleep or poor sleep quality,” explained Professor Lucey.



“An unanswered question is if we can intervene to improve sleep, such as increasing sleep time for short sleepers by an hour or so, would that have a positive effect on their cognitive performance so they no longer decline? We need more longitudinal data to answer this question.”



However, according to Lucey, each person’s sleep needs are unique and people who wake up rested on either short or long sleeping schedules should not feel compelled to change their habits.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/brain">Brain</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Moderate sleep reduces the risk of cognitive decline

According to a new study led by the Washington University...

A new study published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/advances">Advances in Nutrition</a> looks at the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-pandemic-has-had-an-enormous-impact-on-public-health-services/">health</a> benefits of orange juice. The research, funded by the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC), suggests that orange juice helps adults fight inflammation and oxidative stress.&nbsp;



“We know that 100% orange juice contains a number of nutrients, like vitamin C, as well as beneficial bioactive compounds that have the potential to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress," said Gail Rampersaud, a registered dietician with the FDOC.



"This review tells us that some studies find benefits with 100% orange juice, but we need more data and large well-designed studies to make more definitive conclusions. This analysis is especially helpful as we and others plan future research related to orange juice.”



The experts reviewed previous research into the health benefits of orange juice, which revealed that citrus juice reduces interleukin-6, a known measure of inflammation. Overall, the researchers analyzed data from 21 studies covering 307 healthy adults and 327 adults at risk of disease.&nbsp;



Ultimately, the review showed that orange juice consumption either had no effect or positive effects on inflammation or oxidative stress. These results compare favorably with an earlier review funded by the FDOC which found that hesperidin, a naturally occurring compound in oranges and orange juice, helps reduce inflammation.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



The researchers caution that further research is needed, as their study was focused on a small number of participants, has a low amount of evidence, and some bias involved.&nbsp;



"While much of the naturally occurring fiber and vitamin C are lost during processing, 100% fruit juices show similar vitamin and mineral content as equal quantities of whole fruit. Importantly, these juices retain much of the antioxidant nutrients and phytochemicals of the whole fruit, which can reduce both inflammation and chronic disease risk and support human health," wrote the researchers



The study was carried out by Tufts University, George Mason University and Think Healthy Group.&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Orange juice can reduce inflammation and chronic disease

A new study published in the journal Advances in Nutrition...

While restrictions are eased and borders are opened across the globe, new research shows that the emergence of the Delta and "Delta Plus" variants of SARS-CoV-2 could result in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-pandemic-has-had-an-enormous-impact-on-public-health-services/">pandemic</a> being prolonged further if strategic "heterologous vaccination" is not put in action.



The researchers studied the mutations present in Delta and Delta Plus, concluding that the Delta was immune to one-in-four antibody groups produced by natural immunity and vaccines, with Delta Plus being resistant to one out of two.



"It is conceivable that by fusing cells in the respiratory tract, the Delta variant may spread more efficiently and induce more damage. This could contribute to a more severe course of COVID-19," explained study lead author Arora Prerna.



However, it was discovered that individuals vaccinated with a single dose of both Oxford-AstraZeneca and BioNTech-Pfizer showed significantly higher immunity than those with two doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca.



The research team used cell culture experiments to come to this conclusion, finding that Delta is most resistant against the monoclonal antibody balmlanivimab, with Delta Plus being resisting to both balmlanivimab and etesimab. As a result, Delta and Delta Plus were less well inhibited by antibodies from vaccinated and infected individuals when compared to the original COVID-19 virus, resulting in the rapid spread of the variants.



"This means that vaccination likely confers comparable protection against Delta and Delta Plus and that Delta Plus is not significantly more dangerous than Delta," explained Stefan Pöhlmann.



Across Europe, BioNTech-Pfizer is the most commonly used vaccine, followed by Oxford-AstraZeneca. In Germany, rare side effects associated with Oxford-AstraZeneca have resulted in the recommendation that BioNTech-Pfizer is used as the second vaccination dose to anyone who has already received a dose of Oxford-AstraZeneca, a strategy known as ‘heterologous vaccination’



"Our results are consistent with the observation that vaccination efficiently protects against the development of severe disease after infection with the Delta variant, but frequently fails to completely suppress infection," said Stefan Pöhlmann.



"In light of the efficient protection against severe disease, the goal continues to be a high vaccination rate. This can prevent the health care system from being overwhelmed in case of increased spread of Delta and closely related viruses during the winter months."&nbsp;



"Our studies show that heterologous vaccination induces significantly more neutralizing antibodies to Delta than two vaccination shots with Oxford-AstraZeneca. Individuals who have received such a heterologous vaccination may have a very good immune protection against Delta and Delta Plus," said Markus Hoffmann.



The study was conducted through a collaboration between the <a href="http://goettingen-campus.de/dpz">German Primate Center’s Leibniz Institute for Primate Research in Göttingen</a>, the Hannover Medical School, The University of Göttingen Medical Center, and the Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/home">Cell Reports</a>.&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:calumvaughan05@gmail.com">Calum Vaughan</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Delta variants could further prolong the Covid pandemic

While restrictions are eased and borders are opened across the...

In a new study published by <a href="https://www.bmj.com/">BMJ</a>, experts report that the risk of serious injury associated with horseback riding is higher than that of other potentially risky <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/boys-who-play-sports-as-young-children-have-better-mental-health/">sporting</a> activities. According to the analysis, the risk of an injury that requires hospital admission is greater for horseback riding than football, motor racing, or skiing.



“Equestrian-related injuries are a frequently ignored public health issue," said the researchers. “When taken together, these data suggest that the dangers of equestrian activities have been severely underappreciated. When controlled for hours of activity, horseback riding resulted in a higher proportion of hospital admission than other higher risk activities like skiing.”



More than 30 million people participate in equestrian leisure each year in the United States alone, yet little is known about the prevalence of injuries related to the sport.&nbsp;



The study authors analyzed data from 24,791 patients with equestrian injuries supplied by level I and II trauma centers to the US National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB). The injuries were sustained between 2007 and 2016 by adults with an average age of 47.



The chest was the most common site of injury, but head and neck injuries were the most fatal. Injuries to the arms and legs were also very common, while abdominal injuries were the least common.



During the study period, 320 patients died from their horseback riding injuries. Three out of four of these individuals had head and neck injuries.



The researchers determined that riders with head and neck injuries were 44 times as likely to die as those with arm or leg injuries, while patients with chest and abdominal injuries were around 6 times as likely to die.&nbsp;



“Studies have shown that a large fraction of riders involved in equestrian injuries were not wearing helmets at the time of their accident," noted the study authors. "It stands to reason that raising awareness of the possible injuries and increasing preventive measures to protect against head injuries would significantly reduce mortality.”



“Interestingly, hospital admission risk from horseback riding is higher than football, auto and motorcycle racing, and skiing."



"Recently, some attention has been paid by equestrian sporting agencies to the use of protective equipment to prevent injuries, especially as it relates to concussion and brain injuries; however, very few public health campaigns have focused on preventing injuries in riders using horses for leisure and work.”&nbsp;



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://tsaco.bmj.com/">Trauma Surgery &amp; Acute Care Open</a>.



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Horseback riding has a higher risk of serious injury than football

In a new study published by BMJ, experts report that...

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in over 219 million confirmed cases and 4.55 million deaths to date. The impact the pandemic had on health care workers, and the exhaustion of workers taking on extra shifts and covering for inadequate staffing has been extensively documented. Until recently, the ways in which pandemic response crippled other public health services has received less attention.



A new study published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0255844">PLOS One</a> has found that the COVID-19 pandemic had an enormous impact on the provision of other public health services in the United States. During the past 18 months, a large number of public health workers have been redeployed to COVID-related duties, reducing or suspending the deployment of other critical public health services.&nbsp;



According to researchers from the <a href="https://www.udel.edu/">University of Delaware</a>, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. public health system has been understaffed and underfunded. During the peaks of the pandemic, staff redeployments produced significant reductions in several areas, such as programs focused on HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (47 percent reduction), maternal and child health (42 percent), chronic disease (37 percent), injury (37 percent), substance abuse (28 percent), and environmental health (26 percent).&nbsp;



“That impacts the overall health of the population,” said study lead author Jennifer Horney, professor and founding director of the University of Delaware’s <a href="https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/chs/departments/epidemiology/">Epidemiology Program</a>. “Those things didn’t just go away. People still had high blood pressure, they were dying of substance abuse in increasing numbers, but those programs were put on hold.”



Moreover, an increasing number of health workers were on the job for more hours than before the pandemic, often resulting in burnouts, resignations, and early retirements. According to a large-scale <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7026e1.htm">survey</a> conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/">CDC</a>), among 26,174 surveyed public health workers, 53 percent reported mental health problems. The symptoms were more prevalent among those who worked more than 40 hours per week or couldn’t take time off.&nbsp;



Further research is needed to explore these issues in greater depth, and understand how these experiences have changed during 2021. In order to mitigate the complex effects on public health this pandemic had and future health crises might engender, increased funding and enhanced educational opportunities must be urgently provided to train the next generation of frontline health workers.



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

The pandemic has had an enormous impact on public health

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in over 219 million confirmed...

A research team from the <a href="https://nutrition.tufts.edu/">Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy</a> at Tufts University has recently developed a new nutrient profiling system that can rank the healthfulness of foods. The tool will provide invaluable assistance to consumers, restaurants, cafeterias, and policy makers to produce, choose, and endorse healthy foods.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Low-Res_Friedman-Graphic_V4_Oct.52021.jpg.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1897107"/></figure>



Food Compass has been developed over three years and promises to be the most comprehensive and science-based nutrient profiling system to date. While many existing systems focus on the harmful factors of various foods and examine just a few nutrients, Food Compass is equally considering harmful and healthful factors, and takes into account a large variety of nutrients, ingredients (including phytochemicals and additives), and processing characteristics. Furthermore, while previous systems subjectively group and score foods differently, Food Compass is objectively scoring all foods, drinks, or even mixed dishes and meals by using a single consistent score.&nbsp;



“Once you get beyond ‘eat your veggies, avoid soda,’ the public is pretty confused about how to identify healthier choices in the grocery store, cafeteria, and restaurant,” said study lead author&nbsp;Dariush Mozaffarian, dean of the Friedman School. “Consumers, policy makers, and even industry are looking for simple tools to guide everyone toward healthier choices.”



Food Compass is the most comprehensive nutrient profiling system in the world, scoring 54 different characteristics across nine domains representing various aspects of food that are related to health. These features and domains have been selected based on nutritional attributes linked to diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular issues, or cancer, as well as to risks of malnutrition.



Among the major food and drinks categories, the lowest scoring were snacks, sweet desserts, sugar-sweetened sodas, and energy drinks. Among the highest ranked foods were fruits, vegetables, fruits and vegetable juices, nuts, seeds, and seafood.



This system promises to be extremely useful in encouraging the food industry to develop healthier foods; enabling restaurants and cafeterias to offer healthier food options; informing agricultural trade policies; and guiding individual and institutional investors on environmental, social, and corporate governance investment decisions.&nbsp;



“With its publicly available scoring algorithm, Food Compass can provide a nuanced approach to promoting healthy food choices–helping guide consumer behavior, nutrition policy, scientific research, food industry practices, and socially based investment decisions,” concluded co-author Renata Micha, a former faculty member at the Friedman School.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-021-00381-y">Nature Foods</a>.&nbsp;



Image Credit: Tufts University 



By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Nutrient profiling system ranks healthy foods

A research team from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science...

Little,Girl,Running,On,Meadow,With,Sunset

A recent study from the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/">University of Cambridge</a> has revealed that children with a connection to nature during the first <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/over-one-third-of-americans-had-covid-19-by-the-end-of-2020/">COVID-19</a> lockdown showed less behavioral and emotional problems than children without that connection. The study also found that children from wealthy economic backgrounds tended to increase their connection to nature during the pandemic.&nbsp;



The results of the study suggest that kids from less affluent backgrounds likely experienced more mental health challenges during COVID-19 because they had a lower connection with nature compared to their wealthier peers.



“We know that access to and engagement with nature is associated with wide-ranging benefits in children and adults, including lowering levels of anxiety and depression, and reducing stress," said study first author Dr. Samantha Friedman.



"The COVID-19 lockdowns meant that children no longer had their normal school activities, routines and social interactions. The removal of these barriers gave us a novel context to look at how changes in connection with nature affected mental health."



"Connecting with nature may have helped buffer some UK children against the effects of the lockdown, but we found that children from less affluent families were less likely to have increased their connection to nature during that time.”



The study used an online survey to collect data on 376 families with children from three to seven years old. Over half of these families reported that children increased their connection to nature during the pandemic. Not only does the research point to the benefits of a connection to nature for children, it also gives actionable data.&nbsp;



“Our study revealed the wide range of ways that parents can help children get more connected to nature. This might be a bit daunting to some, but it doesn’t have to be camping in the woods and foraging for food – it really can be as simple as going for a walk near your house or sitting outside for ten minutes a day," said Dr. Friedman.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/25758314">People and Nature</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Nature improved mental health of children during lockdown

A recent study from the University of Cambridge has revealed...

A recent review of over 25 studies into the effects of intermittent fasting shows that this is a safe <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-mind-diet-slows-cognitive-decline/">diet</a> strategy that can result in clinically significant weight loss ( greater than 5%) and improve several markers of metabolic health, including blood pressure and insulin resistance.&nbsp;



The review considered the effects of three types of intermittent fasting:&nbsp;



<ul><li>Alternate day fasting, which involves a day where normal calorie intake occurs, alternating with a fast day where only a single meal of 500 calories is consumed.&nbsp;</li><li>5:2 diet, which is a modified version of alternate day fasting that involves five days of normal calorie intake and two fast days per week.&nbsp;</li><li>Time-restricted eating, which confines eating to a specified number of hours per day, usually four to ten hours, with no calorie restrictions during the eating period.&nbsp;</li></ul>



All forms of fasting reviewed in this study produced mild to moderate weight loss (1–8% from baseline) and consistent reductions in energy intake (10–30% from baseline).&nbsp;



“We noted that intermittent fasting is not better than regular dieting; both produce the same amount of&nbsp;weight loss and similar&nbsp;changes in blood pressure, cholesterol&nbsp;and inflammation,” said&nbsp;Krista Varady, professor of nutrition at the UIC College of Applied Health Sciences and author of the review article.



Various studies of time-restricted&nbsp;eating&nbsp;showed participants with&nbsp;obesity&nbsp;losing an average of 3% of their body weight, while alternate day fasting resulted in weight loss of 3–8% of body weight over three to eight weeks.&nbsp;Studies for the 5:2 diet showed similar results, which surprised the study’s reviewers. The participants in the 5:2 diet fast much less frequently than alternate-day fasters do, but the weight loss results are similar.&nbsp;&nbsp;



The weight loss of participants in both the alternate day and 5:2 fasting regimes is comparable to more traditional diets involving daily calorie restriction. Participants in studies of both fasting diets were able to maintain an average of 7 percent weight loss for a year.&nbsp;



Professor Varady explained that the&nbsp;review set out to debunk some myths regarding intermittent fasting. Intermittent fasting does not negatively affect metabolism, nor does it cause an increased incidence of eating disorders, according to the studies reviewed.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“Fasting people are worried about feeling lethargic and not being able to concentrate. Even though you are not eating, it won’t affect your energy. A lot of people&nbsp;experience a boost of energy on fasting days," explained Professor Varady.



Beyond promoting weight loss, intermittent fasting may lead to other health benefits such as decreased blood pressure and insulin resistance. In some cases, cholesterol and triglyceride levels are lowered. Some studies examined for the review also demonstrated improved appetite regulation and positive changes in the gut microbiome as consequences of intermittent fasting.



The study review includes a summary of practical considerations for those who may want to try intermittent fasting. Among the considerations are:&nbsp;



<ul><li>Adjustment time&nbsp;– Side effects such as headaches, dizziness and constipation subside after one to two weeks of fasting. Increased water intake can help alleviate headaches caused by dehydration during this time.&nbsp;</li><li>Exercise&nbsp;– Moderate to high-intensity endurance or resistance training during food abstention can be done, and some study participants reported having more energy on fast days. However, studies recommend those following alternate day fasting eat their fasting day meal after exercise.&nbsp;</li><li>Diet during fasting&nbsp;– There are no specific recommendations for food consumption during intermittent fasting, but eating fruits, vegetables and whole grains can help boost fiber intake and help relieve constipation that sometimes accompanies fasting.&nbsp;</li><li>Alcohol and caffeine&nbsp;– For those using an alternate day or 5:2 fasting plan, alcohol is not recommended on fast days as the limited calories should be used on healthy foods that provide nutrition.&nbsp;</li></ul>



There are several groups who should not undertake intermittent fasting, according to the studies. Those individuals include:&nbsp;



<ul><li>those who are pregnant or lactating;&nbsp;</li><li>children under 12;&nbsp;</li><li>those with a history of disordered eating; &nbsp;</li><li>those with a body mass index, or BMI, of less than 18.5;</li><li>shift workers (studies have shown they may struggle with fasting regimens because of shifting work schedules);&nbsp;</li><li>those who need to take medication with food at regimented times.&nbsp;</li></ul>



“People love intermittent fasting&nbsp;because it’s easy.&nbsp;People need to find diets that&nbsp;they&nbsp;can stick to long term.&nbsp;It’s definitely effective for weight loss and it’s gained popularity because there are no special foods&nbsp;or apps necessary. You can also combine it with other diets, like Keto,” said Professor Varady.&nbsp;



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/journal/nutr">Annual Review of Nutrition</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:bosman@truewan.co.za">Alison Bosman</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Intermittent fasting has extraordinary health benefits

A recent review of over 25 studies into the effects...

Fresh,Radish,Harvest,On,Soil,In,Garden.

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Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving fall garden, and this guide lays out the best vegetables and herbs to plant now for a fruitful autumn harvest. 



Fast-growing leafy greens such as spinach, lettuce, kale, and arugula perform especially well in the waning summer heat, with harvests beginning as soon as 30 days. 



These cool-season crops relish the transition into fall, offering repeated yields with cut-and-come-again methods.



Root vegetables like radishes, carrots, and beets also excel during this period. Radishes deliver satisfaction in under a month, while carrots and beets mature in about two months. Employing succession planting ensures a continuous stream of produce deep into the cooler months. 



For a boost of fresh flavor, herbs like cilantro, basil, dill, and chervil are excellent picks. These heat-loving varieties flourish in July’s warmth and are harvest-ready in about 30 days, especially when sown continuously.



Gardeners in zones 6 through 9 can benefit from planting bush beans and snap peas, which don’t require trellising and are ideal for compact plots. 



Maturing in 50–60 days, they’re a smart choice for quick, protein-rich harvests. For those in hotter regions, heat-tolerant crops such as okra and southern peas provide reliable yields and thrive in scorching conditions.



This guide emphasizes more than crop selection—it highlights the importance of timing, soil preparation, and ongoing sowing techniques. 



With thoughtful planning and attention to regional climate needs, even late-summer gardeners can enjoy fresh salads, hearty stews, and the satisfaction of a robust, homegrown harvest well into fall.



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving...

Green,Ecoduct,Over,An,Empty,Highway,During,Sunset.

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A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that wildlife tunnels significantly reduce amphibian road mortality during seasonal migrations. 



Frogs and salamanders often cross roads to reach breeding ponds each spring, but many are killed by vehicles. 



Researchers from the <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vermont</a>, in collaboration with local citizens and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, installed two underpass tunnels in 2015. 



Over a 12-year monitoring period, they observed an 80.2% reduction in amphibian deaths, and up to 94% for non-climbing species like salamanders. 



The study used a before-after-control-impact design and documented more than 5,200 amphibians, highlighting the tunnels’ effectiveness even in nearby buffer zones.



Funded at $342,397 - far cheaper than wildlife crossings for large mammals - the project showcased the power of community-led conservation.



Local groups initiated the effort after observing mass amphibian deaths. Wildlife cameras later captured over 2,200 amphibians using a tunnel in just one spring, along with other species like raccoons and bobcats, indicating wider ecosystem benefits.



This marks the first peer-reviewed, long-term data set in the northeastern U.S. confirming amphibian-specific underpasses work. 



The study urges transportation departments to incorporate these designs into road planning and highlights how community action, thoughtful infrastructure, and persistence can make a real difference for biodiversity.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1617138125000780" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal for Nature Conservation</a>.



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-----

Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that...

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing it with probiotics and prebiotics, aiming to create a treat that satisfies cravings while supporting gut health. 



The challenge lies in maintaining chocolate's beloved texture and flavor while adding health benefits.



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



Probiotics - beneficial microbes that balance gut bacteria and aid digestion - are typically fragile and can be destroyed by stomach acid or processing. 



Prebiotics act as food for these microbes, helping them thrive. Together, they form "synbiotics," a powerful health combination.



Researchers Smriti Gaur and Shubhi Singh from India's Jaypee Institute of Information Technology took an innovative approach, using natural prebiotics like corn and honey instead of complex processing methods. 



They created five chocolate varieties: a control and four synbiotic versions containing different combinations of prebiotics, probiotics (Lactobacillus strains), and flavor enhancers (cinnamon or orange).



Laboratory simulations of human digestion showed the probiotics remained viable for over five hours, suggesting they could survive long enough to benefit gut health.



Taste tests were positive, with researchers particularly enjoying the orange-flavored variety, describing it as having "vibrant citrus notes" complementing the "rich cocoa" with a "luxurious" texture.



This research represents just the beginning. With further refinement of strains, textures, and flavors, chocolate could evolve beyond mere indulgence to become a functional food that nourishes while it delights.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.4c00741" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS Food Science &amp; Technology</a>.

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Nushagak Bay, a large estuary in southwest Alaska. Nushagak runs mainly north to south and exits in Bristol Bay, a large body of water in the Bering Sea.



"The bay is primarily fed by the Nushagak River, which begins in the Alaska Range and flows southwest approximately 450 km. The bay is also fed by several additional rivers including the Wood, Igushik, Snake and Weary rivers," says ESA.



"The dark colors of the Nushagak River are most likely due to tannins or lignins (chemical substances found in plants). Tannins and lignins from roots, leaves, seeds, bark and soil can leach into the water and give it a brown or even black colour. The sediments then flow southwards where it is mixed with the bluer waters of the bay."



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> (ACS) reveals that proteins on flu viruses are actually flexible, tilting and waving in a “breath-like” motion. According to the experts, these proteins could be used to better defend against the flu.



"The main antigenic targets of influenza virus are two surface glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Whereas the structural and dynamical properties of both glycoproteins have been studied previously, the understanding of their plasticity in the whole-virion context is fragmented," wrote the researchers.



To investigate, the team conducted detailed simulations of the influenza A H1N1 virion, or the swine flu. The experts concluded that the visualizations show many new vulnerable states of flu viruses, which could improve future vaccines and antiviral drugs.



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Lake Trasimeno, which is located west of Perugia in central Italy. It is the fourth largest lake in the country. While Trasimeno’s water level varies, it has a maximum depth of approximately six meters.&nbsp;



"In this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image, captured on 6 August 2022, the lake’s emerald green colour is likely due to the presence of phytoplankton. Streaks in the water, particularly visible in the west, indicate the presence of soil and sediments which have been stirred up by winds. Dark colored waters in the southern part of the lake indicate a presence of submerged and floating macrophytes (aquatic plants) as well as algae," says ESA.



"Surrounded by hills on three sides, Trasimeno is subject to heavy storms created by winds, especially from the north and west. There are three islets in the lake: Maggiore, Minore and Polvese (the largest). The lake’s shores are sparsely inhabited with only two popular villages: Castiglione del Lago and Passignano sul Trasimeno."



"Italy is experiencing its worst drought in 70 years which has affected drinking water supplies, hydroelectric power and agricultural production. High temperatures, hot winds and lack of rainfall are the main causes of drought in the Umbrian region which saw Lake Trasimeno’s drop 1.3 m, reaching the limit of the hydrometric zero in July 2022."



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes a new self-powered nanosensor that can instantly detect mercury contamination with the tap of a finger.&nbsp;



The oxidized form of mercury can be harmful when it is ingested through contaminated water or food. This makes it necessary for experts to develop sensors that can quickly and accurately detect the presence of mercury.&nbsp;



Zong-Hong Lin and colleagues have now created a triboelectric nanosensor (TENS) that can detect mercury by simply by touching a sample. According to the researchers, their TENS could serve as the basis for similar devices to safely and remotely monitor other pollutants.



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> explores the ability of salt to transform the way that foods and beverages taste. Salt is known to cover up undesirable flavors, such as bitterness in coffee or beer, but how exactly does sodium chloride change the taste of other compounds?



One previous study showed that, not only does salt suppress bitterness, but also enhances sweetness and sourness. Another study revealed that bitterness reduction by salt seems to be happening at the tongue receptor level as well as in the brain.&nbsp;



While it is known that salt taste is mediated by the presence of sodium channels in the form of taste buds, experts believe that there is also an unknown receptor responsible for how we taste salt that has not yet been identified.&nbsp;



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

How does salt makes things taste better?

[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Santiago, the capital city of Chile. The city is located in the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, which has a population of about eight million people.&nbsp;



'The weather of Santiago resembles the Mediterranean climate with dry and warm summers with temperatures reaching up to 35°C (from October to March) and cool and humid winters that can drop to 0°C (from April to September)."



"The city lies in the centre of the country’s central valley around 80 km from the Pacific Ocean to the west and borders Argentina to the east. A tiny part of Argentina is visible in the top-right corner of the image where the mountain crest of the Andes Mountains acts as a divider between the two countries," says ESA.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Santiago, Chile in South America

[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

Spiral,Galaxy,,Illustration,Of,Milky,Way

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Astronomers at <a href="https://www.jhu.edu/">Johns Hopkins University</a> have created an interactive map of the universe, including the actual position and real colors of 200,000 galaxies. The map allows the public to access data that was previously only available to scientists.



The map was developed using data collected by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. For over two decades, a telescope in New Mexico was aimed at slightly different locations to capture the night sky.&nbsp;



"Growing up I was very inspired by astronomy pictures, stars, nebulae and galaxies, and now it's our time to create a new type of picture to inspire people," said map creator Brice Ménard, a professor at Johns Hopkins. "Astrophysicists around the world have been analyzing this data for years, leading to thousands of scientific papers and discoveries. But nobody took the time to create a map that is beautiful, scientifically accurate, and accessible to people who are not scientists. Our goal here is to show everybody what the universe really looks like."



"In this map, we are just a speck at the very bottom, just one pixel. And when I say we, I mean our galaxy, the Milky Way which has billions of stars and planets. We are used to seeing astronomical pictures showing one galaxy here, one galaxy there or perhaps a group of galaxies. But what this map shows is a very, very different scale."



"From this speck at the bottom, we are able to map out galaxies across the entire universe, and that says something about the power of science."



The <a href="https://mapoftheuniverse.net/">interactive map</a> is available online, where it can be downloaded for free.



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"] Astronomers at Johns Hopkins University have created...

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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features northwest Lesotho in South Africa.



According to ESA, Lesotho is the only nation in the world that lies completely above 1,000 m in elevation. The country is famous for its tall mountains and narrow valleys, and is known as Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky."



Out of a population of around two million people, about 80 percent live in rural areas. More than 75 percent of these people are engaged in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-have-a-global-impact-on-agriculture/">agriculture</a>, including rainfed cereal production and animal grazing.&nbsp;



ESA reports that the country’s agricultural system faces a growing number of issues, with climate-related vulnerabilities such as drought, floods and extreme temperatures occurring more frequently. 



Diamonds are amongst the minerals found in the mountains. Indeed, Lesotho can truly be called the Kingdom in the Sky. Beautiful, culturally rich, safe, affordable, and easily accessible from Durban and Johannesburg, mountainous Lesotho is a vastly underrated travel destination. the Kingdom of Lesotho (Sotho: 'Muso oa Lesotho) is an enclaved country in southern Africa. It is just over 30,000 km2 (11,583 sq mi) in size and has a population of around 2 million.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Dublin, the capital and largest city of Ireland. Beyond its pub culture, Dublin is known as a modern culinary destination and a UNESCO City of Literature.



"Dublin is located near the midpoint of Ireland’s east coast in the province of Leinster. The city, which covers an area of around 115 square kilometers, is bordered by the Dublin Mountains, a low mountain range to the south, and is surrounded by flat farmland to the north and west," says ESA.



"The city straddles the River Liffey, which rises in the Wicklow Mountains and flows around 80 kilometers eastwards through the city of Dublin, in which it is canalised and bordered with quays. It then empties into Dublin Bay, an arm of the Irish Sea."



Dublin has an abundance of green spaces, including one of the largest enclosed public parks in any European capital city. Phoenix Park, which was originally formed as a royal hunting park in the 1660s, includes 707 hectares of green space.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain. The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.



"Together with the provinces of Huesca and Teruel, Zaragoza formed the old kingdom of Aragon. Its capital, also called Zaragoza (not visible in this image) is home to around half of Aragon’s population," says ESA.



"The Ebro River can be seen winding its way through the province from west to east in this image. Between its source in the Cantabrian Mountains in the northwest and its delta on the Mediterranean coast, the Ebro River is fed by more than 200 tributaries as it flows 910 km across much of northern Spain."



Since rainfall is very scarce in this region, irrigation in the Ebro basin is critically important. In the valleys surrounding the Ebro River, many fields are used for growing crops such as corn, wheat, and barley.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> reveals the evolution of the Columbia Glacier in southeastern Alaska. Columbia is among the fastest shrinking glaciers in the world, and the video documents its rapid retreat over the years.&nbsp;



Columbia Glacier is a large, multi-branched calving glacier that flows out of the Chugach Mountains to the Prince William Sound.&nbsp;



According to USGS, Columbia had a long history of stability prior to 1980, with a length 41 miles, and small, short-lived advances or retreats.



In the years since 1980, however, satellite images have captured Columbia’s alarming retreat. By using false-color images, scientists can distinguish between snow and ice, open water, vegetation, and rocky debris on the glacier’s surface.



The series of false-color images featured in today's video were acquired over the span of 35 years. You can see that by 2021, the glacier’s main branch had retreated about 15 miles from its initial position.



The Columbia Glacier has also lost more than 50 percent of its volume, mostly due to calving. <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/nasa-reveals-3d-visual-of-an-atmospheric-river/">NASA</a> reports that while climate change likely started the retreat, mechanical processes kept the disintegration going.



The NASA images are provided by Jesse Allen, Robert Simmon, Joshua Stevens, and Lauren Dauphin using data from Landsat satellites, from the U.S. Geological Survey, and data from MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite. The structure of Columbia’s moraine played a large role in the stability of the glacier before 1980. 



Like other tidewater glaciers, the Columbia built up a moraine over time, and the mixture of ice and rock functioned like a dam keeping out the sea. It was supported on one end by the shoreline and by the underwater terminal moraine at the other.



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the Pyrenees Mountains, which form a natural boundary between France and Spain in southwest Europe.



The mountain range is 430 kilometers in length. It stretches from the Mediterranean Sea on the east to the Atlantic Ocean on the west.



At an elevation of 3404 meters, Pico de Aneto is the highest mountain peak in the Pyrenees, and the third-highest peak in Spain. Pico de Aneto is located in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park, which spans more than 82,000 acres.&nbsp;



"Geological studies have revealed that the Pyrenees Mountains have been around for longer than the Alps, with their sediments first deposited in coastal basins during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras," reports ESA.



"The entire mountain range formed due to the upwelling of large sedimentary rocks by the collision of the Iberian and the Eurasian plate around 100 to 150 million years ago, followed by intense erosion from ice and water."



The western Pyrenees receive more precipitation due to moisture blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean. The mountain range contains many lakes, several small glaciers, and some of the highest waterfalls in Europe.



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes two exoplanets that are orbiting a star 218 light-years away. A team of researchers led by the University of Montreal has found evidence that these planets are "water worlds."



The experts used data from NASA’s Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes. They discovered that exoplanets Kepler-138 c and Kepler-138 could be composed largely of water.



"We previously thought that planets that were a bit larger than Earth were big balls of metal and rock, like scaled-up versions of Earth, and that's why we called them super-Earths," explained study co-author Björn Benneke.&nbsp;



"However, we have now shown that these two planets, Kepler-138 c and d, are quite different in nature and that a big fraction of their entire volume is likely composed of water. It is the best evidence yet for water worlds, a type of planet that was theorized by astronomers to exist for a long time."



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and Leah Hustak (STScI)



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

[sendtonews key="QIoVYJqRBi-2434608-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes Earth’s interconnected systems, and how this network is affected by rising temperatures.&nbsp;



During 2020, average global temperatures matched the hottest year on record. The hurricane season was also record-breaking, with many of the storms intensifying at extraordinary speeds. Hot water in the ocean is fuel for hurricanes. The satellite data shows that it's all one interconnected system showing how Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected.



According to NASA, dust swept up from Northern Africa plays a major role in the formation of hurricanes, and is also a key source of fertilization in the Amazon rainforest. As a result of<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-wasting-disease-is-fueled-by-climate-change/"> climate</a> change, dust plumes are expected to decline, which will have an effect on vegetation far away.&nbsp;



Images from Earth-observing satellites show how the world’s plant life is affected by natural disasters, fires, and deforestation. Satellites also reveal how widespread changes in vegetation impact waterways,&nbsp; the climate, air quality. Satellites communicate by using radio waves to send signals to the antennas on the Earth. "Earth From Space" is a groundbreaking two-hour special that reveals a spectacular new space-based vision of our planet. 



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://welcome.miami.edu/">University of Miami</a> Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science explores how changes in water temperatures have affected tiger shark habitats and movements in the North Atlantic Ocean. The study reveals that rising temperatures have caused the sharks to shift toward the poles over the past 40 years.



“Tiger shark annual migrations have expanded poleward, paralleling rising water temperatures,” explained study lead author Neil Hammerschlag. “These results have consequences for tiger shark conservation, since shifts in their movements outside of marine protected areas may leave them more vulnerable to commercial fishing.”



The researchers analyzed nine years of tracking data from satellite-tagged tiger sharks, combined with four decades of conventional tag and recapture data provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative Shark Tagging Program.



The experts found that during the last decade of record heat, for every one-degree Celsius increase in water temperatures, tiger sharks migrated further poleward by over 400 kilometers. They also migrated two weeks earlier than usual to waters off the northeastern coast of the United States.



“Given their role as apex predators, these changes to tiger shark movements may alter predator-prey interactions, leading to ecological imbalances, and more frequent encounters with humans,” concluded Professor Hammerschlag.



Video Credit: University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

Today’s Video of the Day from the University of Miami...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> is focused on the melt ponds that emerge during the spring and summer on the Greenland Ice Sheet, which is the largest ice mass in the northern hemisphere.



"Melt ponds are vast pools of open water that form on both sea ice and ice sheets and are visible as turquoise-blue pools of water in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image," says ESA.



"When snow and ice melts atop glaciers, water flows in channels and streams and collects in depressions on the surface. These melt ponds can speed up the melting of the surrounding ice since they greatly reduce the ice’s ability to reflect sunlight."



"This can create a positive feedback where an increasing number of melt ponds absorb more heat which causes ice cover to melt even faster."



According to ESA, Greenland has been hit with a late-season heatwave that began in early September. This caused the type of melt event that usually occurs in the middle of summer.



"In a recent paper published in Nature Climate Change, scientists found that major sea-level rise from the melting of the Greenland ice cap is now ‘inevitable’ even if the burning of fossil fuels were to halt overnight," says ESA. "Using satellite observations of Greenland ice loss and ice cap from 2000 to 2019, the team found the losses will lead to a minimum rise of 27 cm regardless of climate change."



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes a new map of Mars that is providing insight into the planet’s watery past. The map also reveals where future missions could safely land on Mars.&nbsp;



The map has been created over the last decade using observations of water-rich rocks and mineral deposits. The images were captured by ESA’s Mars Express and NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.



"A big surprise is the prevalence of these minerals, with the map revealing hundreds of thousands of water-affected locations in the oldest parts of the planet," says ESA. "The new data will help answer exciting questions about Mars’ climate history, whether water was globally persistent or confined to short, intense episodes, and whether the conditions were ever suitable for life."



"Specifically, the map shows the locations and abundances of aqueous minerals. These are from rocks that have been chemically altered by the action of water in the past, and have typically been transformed into clays and salts."



According to John Carter of the Institut d’Astrophysique Spatiale (IAS), our collective understanding of Mars has been oversimplified. He explained that planetary scientists have tended to think that only a few types of clay minerals on Mars were created during its wet period, then as the water gradually dried up, salts were produced across the planet.



The new map shows that the composition of Mars is much more complicated than what we thought. For example, while many salts formed after Martian clays, there are some salts that are presumed to be older than some of the clays.&nbsp;



“The evolution from lots of water to no water is not as clear cut as we thought, the water didn’t just stop overnight. We see a huge diversity of geological contexts, so that no one process or simple timeline can explain the evolution of the mineralogy of Mars. That’s the first result of our study. The second is that if you exclude life processes on Earth, Mars exhibits a diversity of mineralogy in geological settings just as Earth does,” said Carter.



Video Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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